Risks of Elective Surgery

Millions of Americans opt to undergo elective surgery on an annual basis. The surgery may be as basic as removing a mole or as complex as repairing one’s digestive tract in a bariatric procedure. Regardless of the procedure, there are a number of risks that are inherent to any surgery.

Elective surgeries are surgeries that are planned and non-emergency. These procedures may be medically required or necessary like cataract removal or ACL repair or they may be completely optional as in rhinoplasty and liposuction.

As in all surgeries, there are specific risks based on the type of surgery being performed. There will always be risks that cannot be controlled and others that doctors should take all precautions to avoid. As in every surgery, risks of elective surgery include the chance of infection, hemorrhaging, and circulatory problems like shock or clotting in the circulatory system. The use of anesthesia is always a risk as well. One of the biggest risks associated with anesthesia is anaphylactic shock, which is an allergic reaction to the anesthetic being used. Another risk of anesthesia is that the dosage can be too high, causing a person to have difficulties awakening at the end of the surgery.

Because of the risks involved with all surgeries, it is wise to only undergo it when absolutely necessary. Even if a surgeon does everything correctly, there is still the chance that something may go wrong. Surgeons have been known to make mistakes that cause extensive problems. These mistakes can be due to negligence or forgetfulness.

Contact a Philadelphia Medical Malpractice Lawyer

If you have been injured by a doctor’s negligence, contact the Philadelphia medical malpractice lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C. at 215-238-1130.